Bumpdate – 41 Weeks

This is the update that no one ever thinks they’ll have to make! The 41 week mark. A lot of women hit this mark yet no one really every anticipates it. Our Bradley Method teacher told us that the average first time, low risk birth happens at 41 weeks, 1 day, so we were at least partially mentally prepared for this day to come. However, since I heard quite a few stories of babies coming at 38 weeks recently, I started to reconsider my original assumption that she’d be late. Well, we’re back to square one folks, because she is still hanging out inside me!

Donde Esta little one?

This week has been kind of an emotional roller coaster. I’m happy to say that the roller coaster has leveled out a bit and I’m feeling a lot more at peace with her coming when she decides. At this point I’ve had quite a few signs that she’s slowly making her way out on her own and yesterday’s ultrasound and non-stress tests indicated that she’s as healthy as can be (good fluid levels, placenta viable, heart rate stable, baby appears relaxed). Assuming my second non stress test on Monday goes as smoothly as yesterdays (and that she hasn’t already been born), I’ll likely be induced on Friday, October 9th. However, we have NOT yet set an induction date. Doctor is feeling good about our chances of delivering even before Monday so we may never even have to make an induction appointment.

Hooked up! I hope to have a portable monitoring device during labor otherwise it’s going to be uncomfortable sitting for 20 minutes an hour!

Although I was still very social this past week, I brought it down a notch from last week, especially toward the end. I just started having less desire to go out in public and stayed home more. As a result, I started AND finished my pregnancy scrap book, the house is clean and my entire to-do list is complete. My CPA license is expiring in December and I should really work on continuing education but I keep putting it off (I don’t work for a CPA firm anymore and am technically not working in accounting anymore but I like to keep it active).

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check on me during this waiting period! I have felt the love!

How Many Weeks: 41

Baby The Size Of: Ultrasound yesterday said 7 lbs 8 oz but apparently it can be off by 2 pounds either way.

Weight Gain: Staying steady at around 42 lbs so it’s looking like that’ll be about the final number.

How I’m Feeling: Anxious to meet her, analyzing every twinge but also getting more accepting of the fact that I can’t control any of it!

This episode of friends helped me laugh at myself and realize I won’t actually be pregnant forever.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Carpal tunnel, slightly swollen hands, fingers and feet, and I have to pee literally every 30 minutes, sometimes more frequently. I’m thankful I’m not at work just for the fact that I’d be in the bathroom 40 times a day.

Labor Signs: Well, my first signs of impending labor started just about a week ago and have continued on and off every day since then. I pretty much have Braxton Hicks contractions most of the day and several times I’ve also had menstrual-like cramps with them. On Wednesday they started up during yoga at around 10 a.m. and lasted until about 3 p.m. and seemed to get closer together and stronger, so I started timing them. Eventually they fizzled- they say if you eat, drink, walk and/or sleep and they go away, then they aren’t real. I ate and they continued but after walking and trying to rest/sleep they went away. Thursday I started to lose my plug (if you don’t know what this is, you probably don’t want to). The doctor also indicated at my ultrasound appointment yesterday that this baby is VERY low and that my cervix is very thin (still not doing any cervical checks though so I don’t know how dilated I am). My fundal height also measured 2 cm shorter at this week’s appointment which is another sign of engagement. So basically my body is giving me every sign that it’s preparing for labor – I just need to be patient!

Sleep: Sleep is getting worse for a few reasons, the first being that I have to pee 6 times a night and the second because of the contractions. There were a few nights that they were painful enough to keep me awake and a few times my mind was just spinning with the thought of being in early labor. I tried to focus on my relaxation techniques when I couldn’t sleep due to my mind turning and that seemed to help calm me down. I’m in bed 8-9 hours a night and I take a nap pretty much every day though so I’m still well rested.

Reading: Lots of birth stories! Before the Ironman and pretty much every marathon I’ve ever ran, I read every race report I could get my hands on and it’s no different for birth stories. I read mostly natural birth stories but I will read all kinds! It’s really interesting to see how different they all are and how people describe their contractions and pain level.

Interesting Moments: There was a lot of hype around the full moon this week! All three different yoga instructors I took talked about its impact and it was everywhere. It definitely got my hopes up that our baby girl would be born but in retrospect I’m ok with her taking her time.

Wishing the full moon would help me out!

Best Moments: Celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary last Saturday night (our anniversary was Monday but we were hopeful we’d have the baby thanks to the full moon). It was a great date night for Mike and I and I was thankful to get in one last fancy night out with him before we are parents.

Sunset on the night of our anniversary celebration

We also have a wonderful afternoon at the beach on Sunday – the water and the sun felt amazing!

Sunday Hike & Beach Day with Asia and Mike.

Missing: Sleeping through the night. Oh wait – did you say that is just going to get worse!? 😉

Looking Forward To: The holidays! I can’t wait to dress Siena up for Halloween (our neighborhood does a big block party!), showing her off to the entire extended family at Thanksgiving and dressing her up in a darling Christmas dress. The holidays will be extra special this year.

I visited today hoping to see baby pictures but I’m glad everything is going well! I didn’t know you had your CPA….so do I although I just left the public accounting world. I will keep my active though because as you know that license was way to much work to lose! Anyways hope all continues to go well!

You are doing fabulous. Sienna will be here so soon!! Exciting that you are starting to have so many more signs of upcoming labor. Looking forward to hearing how things go for you. Will be thinking of you!

So close! Glad to see things are going well =). I was one of those unusual ones that went into labor at 38 weeks with my first and 37 weeks with my second. I’m sure Siena will make her appearance soon. I had those same exact labor signs the week my son was born.

I love labor stories, too. I read so many this time around since my first was induced and I had no idea what naturally starting labor would feel like. I loved seeing how different everyone’s experiences can be =).

Your labor signs sound all too familiar. I have a feeling she will be making her debut any day now – she has to, right!?? Thinking of you and can’t wait to see that first picture of her beautiful face. Hang in there mama!!!

I really thought I’d see a “welcome Siena” post when I logged on this morning! It will be (HAS to be) soon. Hope you’re still feeling good!
I’m a CPA too! I’m still in public. Funny we don’t ever really mention our day jobs. 🙂

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Primary Sidebar

Search this website

Welcome to My Blog!

I’m Nicole. I’m a runner, mom to three girls (including twins!), and fitness lover who attempts to live a life of balance as a pizza, craft beer and coffee lover. I live and train near the ocean in San Diego and always keep it real here – there are lots of failures along with my successes in these pages, but what you’ll never see me do is give up!

I am a former accountant who started this blog from a place of absolute passion and love for health and fitness. I’ve now turned it into a way for me to reach and help more people as a health & fitness coach & it’s my mission to help as many women as possible achieve their own goals. I’ve brought hundreds of women into my community and helped them gain confidence and happiness through either my monthly accountability groups or by following their dreams as an online coach as well!

If you’d like to reach out to me for any reason, contact me at fitnessfataleblog at gmail dot com!

Let’s Get Stronger, Fitter, & Healthier Together!

I am a health and fitness coach. I run monthly challenge groups which provide daily accountability and guidance through your journey to achieve your own personal goals.

If you're a runner who is looking to mix in strength training, don't hesitate to reach out! You can compliment your running by including a modified version of any of the programs with your running schedule.

Upcoming Groups:

March 18th: Ultimate Portion Fix Nutrition-Only Support Group

April 15th: 4 Week Virtual Accountability Group - Transform:20, 21 Day Fix, 80 Day Obsession, LIIFT4 or any other program.

Curious about becoming a virtual fitness coach yourself? Join our next private Facebook event and learn all about it with no obligation.